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Florida's 5-game skid adds pressure in matchup

GAINESVILLE — When Florida landed back in Gainesville following last week’s 19-14 loss at No. 11 South Carolina, about a dozen fans were waiting at the airport.

They were cheering — late into the night and in the rain.

It was a welcome sight for a beaten-down team that has lost five consecutive games, looks like it will miss a bowl game for the first time since 1990 and probably will wind up with the program’s first losing season since 1979.

“I was like, ‘Wow, that’s so uplifting,’” guard Max Garcia said. “You don’t see that often. I’ve never seen that type of support before. ... They didn’t know when we were coming back, you know, so they could have been out there for hours. But stuff like that, I really appreciate that. The team really appreciated that.”

The Gators (4-6) might want to keep those pleasant thoughts in mind today when they host lower-division Georgia Southern (6-4). Florida has more than 5,000 tickets remaining for the game, and thousands — probably tens of thousands — no-shows are expected in The Swamp.

The team’s longest losing streak in 34 years, a dreadful offense, an opponent few Florida fans care to see and next week’s home finale against second-ranked Florida State made this one a tough sell.

Throw in the fact that Florida hasn’t fared all that well against teams outside the six power conferences during coach Will Muschamp’s tenure, and empty seats should be no surprise.

The Gators trailed lower-division Furman 22-7 in the second quarter before rallying in 2011. They were tied with Bowling Green at 14 in the third quarter before scoring the game’s final 13 points. They endured an even closer call against Louisiana last November. Tied at 20 in the final minute, Loucheiz Purifoy blocked a punt and teammate Jelani Jenkins returned it 36 yards for a touchdown with 2 seconds remaining to eke out a victory.

Given recent history and the team’s struggles, the Gators don’t sound very confident in the matchup, either.

“If you don’t come out prepared and ready to play, you can lose to anybody,” Florida linebacker Michael Taylor said.

QB QUESTIONS

Florida might have third-string quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg under center for the second straight game. Murphy is still dealing with a sprained throwing shoulder. Although Muschamp said Murphy is “much, much, much improved,” the coaches might give him more time to rest for the season finale. Mornhinweg completed 10 of 13 passes for 107 yards last Saturday, but threw an interception that sealed the victory for the Gamecocks.

DEFENSIVE TEST

The Gators, who have shown a lack of discipline most of the season, will have to be considerably more in control against Georgia Southern’s triple-option offense.

The Eagles average nearly 354 yards a game on the ground, which is better than anyone in the Football Championship Subdivision or the Football Bowl Subdivision.

EAGLES SOARING

Georgia Southern is the winningest team in the FCS with more than 50 games played.

The Eagles have 293 wins and a .718 winning percentage.

They are making the transition the FBS, joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2014.

MUSCHAMP SAFE

He’s yelled at a fan, screamed at referees and players, punched a dry-erase board and lost nearly as many games (14) in less than three years as former coach Urban Meyer did in six seasons (15) in Gainesville.